Yesterday John Hewitson, Chair of the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association, was walking along the beach north of the river when he spotted a suspicious looking black lump on the sand. A closer look revealed a penguin totally entangled in black fishing net, unable to swim or feed.
John freed the bird and contacted DoC’s hotline at 0800 362 468. He took the bird home and cared for it overnight (a warm secure bed in a box and a bowl of water).
Today the penguin is on its way to professional care at The Nest at Wellington Zoo.
Thanks John for spotting this bird in trouble and for rescuing it.
For folks out there who fish: please don’t let nets get away from you.
Update: here’s a much happier looking penguin!
